Orientation - Crazy, large scale production!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thirty years ago, Notre Dame’s was a little overwhelming to me. I just wanted to get settled and then start classes with regular people I would get to know organically, not be forced to move in a clump over to a guy’s dorm quad for forced ice-breaker games and ice cream, followed by another forced match to Steppan for hamburgers and a carnival, repeat fur about 3 days straight. Later, when I was an RA myself as a senior, I saw that it was hard on some of my freshmen too, so I knew by then it wasn’t just me.

Sleep deprivation is a tool for cult indocrtination!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move-in isn’t the same as Orientation at most schools. Just saying.

It IS the same for non-state schools/ schools that attract lots of far-flung students. Only state schools have earlier orientations, because it's easy for students to travel to campus. And those usually have at least one orientation right before (early) move-in for students coming from afar.

DP. This is just not true. My DC attends Virginia Tech and orientation for all incoming freshmen is the week before classes start - so all of last week and this weekend. It's called Weeks of Welcome and extends into the first week of classes.

Over the summer, other administrative tasks can be completed virtually so no one has to actually go to the campus. No doubt a lot of state schools have orientation week right before classes start as well. Who wants to move in twice?

[Anonymous]

My kid’s SLAC also had fireworks. I don’t think it’s that uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.

Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

20 is free-ish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

yeah - $20 an hour is free-ish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move-in isn’t the same as Orientation at most schools. Just saying.

It IS the same for non-state schools/ schools that attract lots of far-flung students. Only state schools have earlier orientations, because it's easy for students to travel to campus. And those usually have at least one orientation right before (early) move-in for students coming from afar.

DP. This is just not true. My DC attends Virginia Tech and orientation for all incoming freshmen is the week before classes start - so all of last week and this weekend. It's called Weeks of Welcome and extends into the first week of classes.

Over the summer, other administrative tasks can be completed virtually so no one has to actually go to the campus. No doubt a lot of state schools have orientation week right before classes start as well. Who wants to move in twice?

I agree that orientation that isn't right before the start of classes is annoying. But I didn't say ALL state schools have early summer orientation, I said ONLY state schools have early summer orientation. Obviously, some (like VT) follow the more sensible schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friend of mine said the W&M first year move in was “really over the top”.

My DS is an Orientation Aide at W&M this year. Their first job is to get the new kids info on W&M policies and procedures. Their second job is to keep them so busy they're exhausted at night and don't go out drinking. The OA's used to help families move into the dorms but after a couple of injuries, they are instructed to just cheer when the new students move in. I haven't talked to my DS since Wednesday night - I'm sure he's as exhausted as the new students.

+1, DD goes to Pomona and the otean leaders were instructed to make events lame, because too many freshman arrived last year drunk and high out of their minds. Dry weeks really make for a rebellious group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

Many schools don’t pay their students to help with orientation. You get to move in early and interact with the new class, which many students like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

Many schools don’t pay their students to help with orientation. You get to move in early and interact with the new class, which many students like.

Two of my kids were OA's - one at a private school and the other at a public. They both got free food during their orientation training and actual orientation and swag ("uniform" they wore during orientation.) That was their "pay."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move-in isn’t the same as Orientation at most schools. Just saying.

It IS the same for non-state schools/ schools that attract lots of far-flung students. Only state schools have earlier orientations, because it's easy for students to travel to campus. And those usually have at least one orientation right before (early) move-in for students coming from afar.

DP. This is just not true. My DC attends Virginia Tech and orientation for all incoming freshmen is the week before classes start - so all of last week and this weekend. It's called Weeks of Welcome and extends into the first week of classes.

Over the summer, other administrative tasks can be completed virtually so no one has to actually go to the campus. No doubt a lot of state schools have orientation week right before classes start as well. Who wants to move in twice?

I agree that orientation that isn't right before the start of classes is annoying. But I didn't say ALL state schools have early summer orientation, I said ONLY state schools have early summer orientation. Obviously, some (like VT) follow the more sensible schedule.

Also not true… Northeastern has some early orientation options. So it is not only state schools as you suggest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which university was this?

Must be an SEC.

LOL, yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which university was this?

Must be an SEC.

LOL, yes

and yet. nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

Many schools don’t pay their students to help with orientation. You get to move in early and interact with the new class, which many students like.

Two of my kids were OA's - one at a private school and the other at a public. They both got free food during their orientation training and actual orientation and swag ("uniform" they wore during orientation.) That was their "pay."

my kid who was an incoming freshman this year commented how much he'd love to do that next year. colleges know they are kids who love this kind of thing. they're kids who usually love school - especially their school, which is a bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

Many schools don’t pay their students to help with orientation. You get to move in early and interact with the new class, which many students like.

Two of my kids were OA's - one at a private school and the other at a public. They both got free food during their orientation training and actual orientation and swag ("uniform" they wore during orientation.) That was their "pay."

That is crazy. My kid made $1000 for each orientation session she worked, about $300 a day.

[Anonymous]

SLAC in New England had summer orientation in June/July. Move-in and the new student week of events were separate.